FAQ

A safari is a trip of a lifetime, and an incredible amount of planning and preparation goes into each and every journey. We tailor each safari to our guests’ specific wants and needs, and try to personally address each query as it comes up, so guests can relax during their time with us. Here we answer some of the questions most commonly asked prior to a safari, but feel free to contact us to ask additional questions.

Is it safe?In a word, yes. We make every effort to ensure your safety on a safari through our use of excellent vehicles, our training of a safety-conscious and observant crew, our choice of specific camps and campsites, and our choice of companies for activities such as ballooning and horseback riding. We also guide our guests concerning behaviors that may inadvertently lead to injury or a dangerous situation in the bush. Of course, despite our efforts and yours, accidents can happen and we do require a signed disclaimer agreement prior to arrival for a safari.

We live in Kenya full time and are as up-to-date as possible on the news, politics, and safety issues in the region. We are happy to discuss any concerns our guests may have both prior to and during a safari.

Can we exercise?Most of the game-viewing on our safaris is done from vehicles, to which many animals are habituated. In certain locations there are ample opportunities for walking, running, swimming, horseback riding, mountain biking, or even tennis (see the activities). However, there are other places with large numbers of potentially dangerous wildlife that preclude anything more than jumping rope or doing yoga in front of your tent or room. We can choose some safari destinations based on sports or activities you would like to have on offer.

How do we get there?There are international flights to all of the countries in which we travel. Most of our guests fly to Nairobi with Emirates via Dubai, British Airways via London, or Northwest-KLM via Amsterdam. Other options include Swiss Air, Air France, Etihad Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Guests traveling from Australia may also choose Qantas, South African Airways, Air Mauritius, or Singapore Air. Once in East Africa, we typically use private charter flights to travel within the region, although we occasionally use local/regional carriers such as Air Kenya, Safarilink, Kenya Airways, Rwandair, and Air Uganda.

How long is the trip?The average safari is 12 to 14 days “in-country,” but the range is 10 to 20 days. No two safaris are exactly alike, and the length of the trip depends on the desires of the guests as well as the destinations and activities included. We do not have set departures: we schedule the safaris according to the wishes of our guests, subject to Howard’s availability.

Are the safaris exclusive?The vast majority of our safaris are exclusive and consist only of a family or group of friends traveling together on their own. Howard and any additional guides travel with the guests throughout the safari and manage the entire trip. Our mobile tented camps are set up exclusively for each group of guests. Larger groups may occupy an entire lodge but groups of four to eight people may share a lodge with a small number of other people. Most of the activities are exclusive, however ballooning typically is not.

Will we need electrical adaptors? What is the voltage? Will there be power sources?Voltage is 220W in Africa. There are plenty of power outlets in our vehicles and mobile camp for USA plugs. Power is available in the lodges at certain times, typically for UK plugs.

Will we be able to make phone calls and get online?If international roaming is enabled on your mobile phone you will be able to make phone calls and get online through a local carrier at most destinations. Many of the lodges we use have wireless internet access. However, there are a few more remote places where there is no phone or internet service, and satellite phones may be used in the case of an emergency.

Will there be opportunities to “give back?”Many of our guests contribute to conservation and education projects in the region through the Kenya Wildlife Trust, of which Howard is chairman of the board. We often visit KWT projects during each safari, and returning guests often visit specific projects to see their donations at work.

THE EXPERIENCE AT A GLANCE

Here is a brief overview of the kind of experience you can expect on a safari with us, from the moment you arrive to when it is time to say goodbye until next time...